Evaluation of Recovery and Prognosis after Peripheral Nerve Injury

Review Article

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2017;19(2):52-60.
Published online December 31, 2017.

Received: 8 November 2017 • Accepted: 16 November 2017

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are common, and yield about 2~3% in patients who visited to trauma center of general hospital. Seddon and Sunderland’s classification of PNI are commonly used to describe the degree of PNI. In clinical practice, electrodiagnotic study that performed optimal time point after PNI using adequate techniques provides important information about the presence or absence of PNI, its localization and severity of PNI. Several electrophysiological makers, such as amplitude of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), help to predict functional recovery after PNI and to set up treatment plan. In this review we described the types of PNI and neural reaction and sequential changes after nerve injury. Also prognostic factors associated with recovery from PNI and the usefulness of electrodiagnosis were reviewed.

Key Words: peripheral nerve injuries, prognosis, electrodiagnosis